Grand Goals in East and West Put Aside!

By: Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban

 13June 2005 (Daily Star)

Why did the French and Dutch say “No” to the European constitution? It was as though millions of French and Dutch voters were forgetful of the unifying projects for their countries and economies. It was as though they were not concerned with the rebirth of Europe as a world super power that brings balance and helps spread peace and justice. No matter how far reaching the analysis goes, it falls short of revealing all the reasons that led 54% of voters in France and 63% in Holland to say “no.” It is possible, however, to observe certain trends that might reveal the most important reasons behind that result.

One clear reason is that most people have decided to put grand goals aside and replace them by small ones. They have decided that today is more important than tomorrow, and that the quality today’s life is what should guide their choices. The result might carry a lesson for politicians: when people wake up in the morning, they don’t usually think about their country’s position on the international map, they rather think about their present living standards and if they are content with them. With this criteria, they judge all other things, including “grand goals.”

The referendum in Europe is not the end. However, focus in the last few years on globalization and transcontinental corporations has overshadowed the value of individual life. The details were cast aside for greater battles. We have all seen how the so-called “war on terrorism” has caused human suffering to whoever is named “suspects.” Some have died under torture, while many have been deprived of their human rights to freedom of expression, liberty and independence. Human interaction has regressed dangerously. Everyone has become a terrorist, until proven otherwise – especially if his or her name reveals an Arab or Muslim origin.

While the so-called war of “liberating Iraq” continues, daily news show tens of bereaved mothers mourning their children. “Iman Hussein,” a 14 year old Iraqi girl, woke up one day to find her parents killed by the occupying forces. She now lives dreaming of reuniting with her younger siblings, who were given to different orphanages. Reading her story, one would realize that there is no political goal in the world worth such daily pain. Death, imprisonment, torture, and demolished houses are the daily worry for people in Iraq and Palestine, while the media  busies itself with “progress” in political processes, “freedom” and “democracy.” What kind of “freedom” and “democracy” is it that deprives people of their rights to freedom, destroy their houses, kill their families and humiliate them? What “freedom” and “democracy” would children who have lost their limbs, eyes, and families want? What can Palestinian children do with promises of “peace” when Israeli forces train their dogs to attack them? What do they want with such promises when on the International Child Day, Israel names General Dan Hluts, “the children killer,” chief of staff?

George Manbut wrote a very important article in the Guardian on May 24^th: “When governments are faced with choice between freedom of the market and freedom of the individual, they chose the freedom of the market.” In our region we feel that the world’s super power talks about spreading peace and freedom while all that Iraqis and Palestinians get is humiliation and fear.

The campaign on terrorism has only made terrorists stronger and more widely spread. The war for “liberating Iraq” has only left Iraqis in a vicious circle of violence and terrorism. It is about to lead to sectarian conflicts, having divided Iraq into sects and ethnicities. With all of that in mind, should we not call for an end to trading with great slogans?

Talk about withdrawal from Gazza continues at a time when Palestinian families are loosing one member after the other to Israeli rockets. What do grand goals and slogans mean to any of us once we have lost a dear one or suffered injustice in their name? People in the West and East have had enough with the imposing terminology manufactured by politicians. People are yearning for common sense, where ideas are measured against the happiness they bring to human life. If a great idea is adverse to children’s smiles, safety of home, family happiness, and standards of living, then smaller goals become the common sense choice. This is not a call to abandon grand goals. However, they should be measured against human needs and where they take humanity.